GHG Emissions Rise in 2014

04/18/2016 |

Rises in fuel use blamed for small pollution increases

Despite efforts to reduce carbon pollution, new data from the EPA shows that U.S. GHG emissions rose about 1% between 2013 and 2014. The 21st annual Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks report shows that while emissions have fallen by 9% since 2005, the unusually cold winter between 2013 and 2014 and growing fuel demand in the transportation sector drove the increase year-over-year.

Power plants are noted as the largest driver for GHG emissions, accounting for 30% of the total in 2014. The transportation sector comes in second with 26% of the total while industry and manufacturing takes up 21% of U.S. emissions. The report was compiled using data from the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program as well as other sources.